Cruise the fabled Keralan backwaters on a non-mechanized, covered boat tour from Fort Cochin. See the villages along the lush canals. Enjoy a vegetarian lunch in the countryside.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Reserve now & pay later: Keep your travel plans flexible—book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Duration 6 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: English
Pickup optional: Meet your driver at the reception of your accommodation
Small group available

Highlights

Cruise the lush backwaters of Kerala on board a non-mechanized country boat
Enjoy a vegetarian lunch in the countryside of Cochin
Visit a village to see coconut palm weaving and coir making

Full description

Discover the famous backwater canals of Kerala on a half-day tour from Fort Cochin, and immerse yourself in a quiet way of life, far from the pressures of big city life. The tour starts with a pickup from a meeting point in Fort Cochin at 8:30 AM. Drive to a village just outside Cochin City to board a traditional covered country boat. The boats have a capacity for about 20 people, allowing for an intimate experience while enjoying the serenity of the landscape. Your guide will paddle you through the sumptuous vegetation, stopping at a village to see coconut palm weaving and coir making. Then, savor a vegetarian lunch and later, a transfer to Fort Cochin. Arrive back at the meeting point at around 3:00 PM.

Includes

Pickup and drop-off from a meeting point in Fort Cochin
Cruise by covered country boat
Vegetarian Lunch

Drinks
Pick-up or drop off outside of Fort Cochin

Not suitable for

People with mobility impairments
Wheelchair users

Covid-19 precautions

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask

Meeting point

The tour begins at 8:30 AM at the local partner's office at Princess St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala 682001, India. Opposite Block Prints clothing store, near Shop N Save and Bench Café.

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Important information

Know before you go

Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the start of the tour are not subject to a refund. Cancellations made more than 72 hours before the tour will get a full refund. In the case of a no show or cancellation of a guaranteed reservation, operator reserves the right to levy retention charges for the tour amount paid
In the unlikely event that the operator is unable to conduct the tour (due to strikes, natural calamities etc.) you will get a full refund

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 45 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.6/5
Transportation
3.8/5
Value for money
4.6/5
Safety
4.4/5

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Scenic, slow-paced, relaxing and informative

The tour was indeed 7 hours long! The tour on the waters is very slow, quiet and relaxing. There's not a whole lot to see except enjoy the water and surrounding birds/people/forestry. Lunch was simple, vegetarian but tasty. After lunch we hopped into a smaller boat and paddled down some smaller canals. Ended with a small, but interesting spice tour and a paddle home. Would only recommend if you're OK with having a slow-paced experience.

January 12, 2018

Learning about the rural life in Kerala

Exploring the backwaters of Kerala provided another view into the daily lives of many people who actually live in these areas. This included the food they ate (they were vegetarian!), the type of homes and jobs they have and the flora/fauna that are available. I found the ride on the boat across the waters very restful and the activity provided me time to reflect about many things. The boatmen were also game to share their stories and at some point one realizes the shared humanity across different cultures and beliefs.

November 21, 2017

All very easy and enjoyable

Having booked this at the last minute upon arriving in Fort Kochi using the online booking system we were very impressed. Our payment was confirmed immediately and the responses from the team very quick. Initially we were unsure if we had definitely got our booking having done it all last minute but had no need to worry. Our driver picked us up from our hostel door and took us all the way to our boat for the day. The guides were very friendly and showed us some excellent variety of the waters around the south of Cochin. The stop for lunch proved divine with traditional Kerelan vegan food served on a banana leaf proving to die for (even for the less adventurous eaters). The afternoon we transferred from traditional boat to canoe and travelled up a smaller waterway before turning back and returning to our driver to be taken back to our hostel. All very enjoyable, relaxing and beautiful. Definitely recommended!

September 8, 2017

Cochin: Half-Day Backwater Village Boat Cruise with Lunch

Cochin: Half-Day Backwater Village Boat Cruise with Lunch

About this activity

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Scenic, slow-paced, relaxing and informative

Learning about the rural life in Kerala

All very easy and enjoyable